Japan music school launches in Kolkata
Kolkata, Mar 21 : Happy Hours, an institution committed to the development and enrichment of multiple talents among children as well as adults, announced the launch of India's first Roland School of Music Japan in Kolkata on Thursdday at AMP Vaisaakhi Mall, Salt Lake.
With a focus on education with entertainment and an all-round approach to learning music, the Roland School of Music (RSM), Japan, opened its doors in Kolkata.
Rupam Islam, lead vocalist of Fossils band, and Shigeru Kimoto, Marketing Manager Roland Corporation, Japan inaugurated India's first Roland Music School of Japan at Happy Hours on Thursday after having its branches all over the world.
Roland has over 25 years of track record in music education enhanced by its collaboration with an electronic musical instrument manufacturer.
People of all ages attend the Roland school of Music and most are at the beginning and intermediate stages of their musical journey.
The school offers private instructions to both small groups (2-4 students), large groups (5-8 students) and provides band workshop classes too. They also host guest clinicians and artists at the school.
RSM has its own schools in various countries of the world, for e.g. USA, Japan, China, etc.
The academy in Kolkata will offer specialist training programmes in collaboration with Roland UK.
Students will be encouraged to consider a variety of career options and to develop the skills needed to create their own business opportunities or attract potential industry employers.
In addition to working with leading-edge technology, academy students will benefit from a range of master classes and clinics delivered by Roland product specialists and leading industry figures.
Boasting state-of-the-art teaching facilities, each academy has been equipped with Roland and Edirol hardware products, Cakewalk's Sonar production software and Make Music's Finale notation package.
Catering to all age groups starting from three, the RSM will facilitate the use of interactive software and visual aids for the toddlers.
Imparting lessons in piano, guitar, western vocals, lucina, V-drums and keyboards, RSM's semester system of curriculum has been devised based on Indian preferences, so that the learners will have a bouquet of songs ready to play during festivals.
Besides, after a year of training, the students will be ready to participate and showcase their talent in RSM's own band which is internationally acclaimed.
"Kolkata has always been the backbone of music in this country. Kolkata has been the Capital of Music and culture, where music by the great ones like Rabindranath Tagore has stirred the whole world. So Kolkata was chosen as the 1st city for the launch of RSM in India at Happy Hours studio," said an official spokesperson.
"Today's technology tools teach traditional concepts in new and creative ways that increase student involvement, interest and retention. Innovative technology also allows us to develop broad-based programs, extending the power of music education to students of a new generation," the spokesperson said.
With the launch, Happy Hours also announced its "Instrumental Talent Hunt Contest" to be held on Mar 31 at CD Park, Salt Lake.
The talent hunt contest would focus on special categories for keyboard, drums, guitar and vocals and will enable the winners to get 100 percent scholarship on the fees.
The main job of RSM will be to provide a high quality class curriculum in cooperation with the education system, culture exchange, performance and different level competitions.
The lesson materials will be dynamic, interactive and fun for children. CDs will be given for self practice at home so that after a long day's pressure also students can take out some spare time for their own selves and play some music.
On this occasion, Shigeru Kimoto said, "The training offered by our academies will give students a practical understanding of industry-standard technology, and equip them with the skills needed to create and sustain their own business activities in a highly competitive environment. The RSM has global presence and provides the perfect platform to encourage kids and adults alike."
Speaking about the event, Rupam Islam said, "Music is enough for a lifetime, but life is not enough for music. If man is the best creation of God then music is the best creation of man and Survival in today's music industry relies on a wide range of skills."
Jyoti Bansal, RSM Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Eastern Region and Owner of Happy Hours, said, "Unless children can relate learning to fun, they will lose interest. That's where RSM is different. We will prepare the kids in such a manner that they will have a collection of 20 to 22 songs ready for playing based on the chords they have learnt.
"They will be taught other musical instruments as well beside the one they choose to learn. And the theory about music will be dealt with in an interesting manner. This ensures an all-round learning."